December 25, 2011

A Christmas Treat

For a Christmas Treat please welcome back one of the original Book Tarts, Susan McBride!

It's incredible to look back and realize how much has changed in six years. I was a single girl back at the beginning of Lipstick (but met Ed shortly after, and I still remember Harley telling me that he sounded like a keeper from early on! She was SO right!). I was healthy except for my bad eating habits (who knew that Snickers wasn't a vegetable?). I was writing a mystery series. And I was definitely not pregnant.

Now I'm a happily married woman of nearly four years who's survived breast cancer (and watched my mother survive it as well). I've switched genres to women's fiction and YA (although I can't help sprinkling a bit of mystery in everything!). I've been through a miscarriage and now I'm pregnant again (I knew some of those dusty eggs still had it in 'em!). I can only imagine what the next six years will bring!

I wish only wonderful things for everyone here at Lipstick: good health, great friendships, joy in everyday things, and, of course, fabulous books!

Susan calls herself an "Accidental Cougar" after meeting a younger man in 2005 when she was a St. Louis Magazine Top Single. They were married in February 2008 and live happily ever after in a suburb of St. Louis. Susan is a breast cancer survivor and often speaks to women's groups about her experience. She is the author of Little Black Dress (HarperCollins/William Morrow, August 23, 2011) and The Cougar Club, selected by Target Stores as a Bookmarked Breakout Title and named a Midwest Connections Pick by the Midwest Booksellers Association. Cougar also made MORE Magazine's list of "February Books We're Buzzing About." Find Susan at her website:http://www.susanmcbride.com/index.html

Merry Christmas, Susan, Ed, and Peapod -- and to all the rest of the TLC community. You are part of the reason life is so good. May we all continue happy and healthy -- and friends! (and if you haven't checked the Google Doodle yet, do).

Susan, we were reminiscing recently about the Famous Dinner Party your mom hosted the week that TLC was , uh, conceived (out of wedlock, naturally) . . . we all love you to pieces, and Ed too, and Baby Peapod. Keep writing, stay well, and enjoy parenthood. What an adventure you're on. Merry Christmas!

Congratulations Susan! I am a recent survivor...what a journey. I tell my friends it's one club that they are NOT allowed to join. Trying to tell my husband that a Pink Ribbon tattoo is not trashy. Think I need one...since I already have radiation tattoos!

Susan, wow what changes the last 6 years brought you! I wish I had been here at the beginning of the blog but glad to read you here at the end. I hope your pregnancy goes well and you spend the whole time glowing.

Merry Christmas to all and I hope everyone is celebrating their day exactly as they want to.

Susan,
I'm just getting to know your books. I've only been here for a couple of years and was a lurker for a very long time. Thanks for your part in bringing TLC to life - it has enriched my own life. It's great to hear what else you are bringing to life! LIFE is an important theme in my post today, it seems! I'm glad that you are living such a full life and I wish you and your family the best.